Lawn mower blade modification. How to Change Blades on a Husqvarna Riding Mower, Step by Step

How to Change Blades on a Husqvarna Riding Mower, Step by Step

Husqvarna is one of the more popular lawnmower manufacturing companies. Their riding mowers with dual cutting blades appeal to a lot of customers and are suitable for both small and big yards. However, even the best machines require regular maintenance, as is the case for any lawnmower brand. Like other components of a Husqvarna mower, the blades must be in good shape for an optimal mowing result. When you buy a new Husqvarna lawnmower, its blades are sharp and healthy. But after some months of use, the blades become dull, resulting in poor cut grass. This can make your lawn look ugly and can even result in grass diseases.

Furthermore, dull blades consume more engine power, thereby increasing fuel cost. To avoid these situations, you should regularly check and sharpen the blades of your Husqvarna mower. But after sharpening the blades several times or hitting a rock or other debris, the blades will be worn out. They can become twisted and crooked, and the blade surface can be cracked. In these cases, it becomes imminent that the blades need to be replaced. Further sharpening won’t help or is impossible. This blog post will go through the steps to change the blades on a Husqvarna Riding Mower.

lawn, mower, blade, change

How to change the blades of a Husqvarna riding lawnmower, step by step:

  • Step 1: How to check the Blade Condition
  • Step 2: Get the right tools
  • Step 3: Park the Mower in a flat area
  • Step 4: Disconnect thespark plugs
  • Step 5: Remove excess gas from the tank
  • Step 6: Tilt or lift the lawnmower
  • Step 7: Remove the Bolt
  • Step 8: Remove the Blade
  • Step 9: Install the New Blade

Replacing the blades is relatively simple, and you can do it yourself. Knowing when to change the blades is an important step. Mostly, this will be based on your own observation and judgment. Dull blades give untidy and unclean grass cut. So, observing the grass every time you mow can keep you updated on the blade condition. Directly observing the blades is an even simpler approach. You can sharpen dull blades, but those with chips and dents need to be replaced.

The article will also provide details on the negative impacts of unhealthy blades, the criteria for blade sharpening and replacement, and the detailed replacement procedure. If you are a Husqvarna riding mower owner and face bad blades, this article will surely help you resolve the issue in the best way.

Husqvarna Riding Mower step by step Blades Replacement:

The blade replacement procedure for a Husqvarna riding mower consists of five main steps, which are quite easy.

Step 1: How to check the Blade Condition

You can judge the condition of your Husqvarna riding mower blades by either inspecting the grass or the blades themselves. We recommend you to do both regularly.

When the blades are fine and healthy, they cut the grass cleanly and evenly. Under normal circumstances, the same length of the grass is cut with each mower’s pass, provided the mower height is not changed. But if some lawn patches have taller grass cut than others, it means that the grass isn’t being cut evenly, indicating that the blades are dull and damaged.

Every time before parking the mower in your garage, check the blades. A visual inspection would be enough to judge the blade condition. Factors you should be inspecting for are blade sharpness, cutting edge thickness, quality of blade surface, and any twist or dent. Sharp cutting edges usually have a shinier look, something dull blades lack. You can also carefully touch the blade with your index finger to check sharpness. A sharp blade is one you would fear to move your finger over. The blades shouldn’t be too thin, or there is a risk of breaking. The blade surface should be free from chips and dents. Lightly chipped blades can be smoothened with a file, but you must replace blades with cracks and twists. Thin blades with cracks can break off during operation and cause serious harm to the machine or the person operating it.

As said before, it is recommended that you inspect your Husqvarna mower blades after or before every mowing session. Regular inspections will also allow you to keep the cutting area clean of any grass buildup that could reduce cutting speed.

Step 2: Get the right tools

Now, we’ll take you through a detailed and step by step guide on blade replacement of a Husqvarna riding mower. Before that, let’s have a look at the things you’re going to need:

  • A socket wrench
  • Wooden blocks or other tools to lift a riding lawnmower
  • Protective gloves
lawn, mower, blade, change

Step 3: Park the Mower in a flat area

Park your Husqvarna riding mower on an open flat area. Engage the parking brakes, but keep the mower in gear for now. Elevate the deck to the highest elevated setting. This will make the replacement process more straightforward.

Step 4: Disconnect the spark plugs

For safety, disconnect the spark plugs. This way, you can be sure that the engine can not run while working on it. You do not want the blade to start rotating when you are working on it. Don’t rigorously pull the spark plug wire. Instead, grip the lead where it connects to the plug and twist it from side to side until it moves freely. Then gently pull it backward.

Step 5: Remove excess gas from the tank

Ensure that you remove excess gas from the tank, so it will not spill when you tilt the lawnmower. You can use a siphon to do this.

Step 6: Tilt or lift the lawnmower

To reach the blades, you have to tilt or lift the lawnmower. You can use different methods for this, like plastic ramps. Ensure that the mower is stable after it is tilted and that there is adequate support, so it does not fall back when working on it. If you want to lift your riding lawnmower, you use a lawnmower lift

Step 7: Remove the Bolt

Use protective gloves when working with a sharp blade. Lie down on your back close to the mower. Position a block of wood under the deck to lock the blade, so it won’t turn when you loosen the nut. Another option is to hold the blade with your protective gloves if you do not manage to lock it. Rotate the blade until it makes contact with the block, hold it firmly with your hand and loosen the bolt connecting the blade to the spindle. You’ll have to rotate the wrench clockwise to remove the bolt. If there is a washer positioned at the spindle, remove it too.

Step 8: Remove the Blade

With the bolt and washer off, the blade is free to be removed. Remove the old blade, and take the new one out of its packaging.

Step 9: Install the New Blade

Install the new blade on the spindle. Ensure that the star pattern on the blade is lined with the spindle’s star pattern to get locked correctly. Put the washer on the spindle, and then the bolt and start tightening the bolt. This time, you’ll be turning the wrench counterclockwise. An important thing to remember is that the curved side of the new blade should be pointing up. You can consult the manufacturer’s manual or the blade’s supplier for more information about it.

Tighten, and lock the bolt properly. The blade should be rotating freely without touching the boundary of the cutting area.

If your Husqvarna riding mower has two blades, repeat this procedure for the second blade. You might want to tilt the mower in a different direction to make it easier.

Things to Consider when replacing lawnmower blades:

When it comes to Husqvarna riding mower blade replacement, remember these important things:

  • Blade sides: Having the correct blade side up is crucial. Usually, blades have “this side up” written on one of the sides. With some blades, the curved sides should be up. The best approach would be to consult your mower’s manual for correct info in this regard.
  • Proper locking: Blades have a start shaped hole that fits with the star-shaped pattern on the spindle. Make sure the two are perfectly locked together.
  • Take care of your new blades: Brand new blades are sharp and healthy. But it is imminent that they will lose their sharpness after some time. For best mowing results, regularly inspect the blades and sharpen them with a file or grinder when they feel dull.

Sources of Blade Damage:

The blades of a Husqvarna riding mower rotate at very high RPMs. At such high rotational speeds, impact with even the tiniest things can cause major damages. Over a long period of use, dirt and debris erode the blade cutting edge, making it dull and blunt. Hitting stones or toys or other hard obstacles can cause dents and twists. Corrosion is yet another source of blade damage. Chips and cracks also emerge on the blade surface over a long period of use, usually caused by the blade metal’s thermal expansion and contraction.

Negative Impacts of Bad Blades:

When you buy a high-end Husqvarna riding mower, clearly your goal is an eye-catching and healthy lawn. Bad blades can still cut grass, but poor blade quality will ruin your goal. Faulty blades cause several problems, including:

  • Ugly look: Faulty blades will give an ugly look to your lawn. This is because dull blades roughly rip grass edges instead of cutting cleanly and evenly. Roughly torn grass tips turn brown much quicker, giving a bad look to the lawn.
  • Grass diseases: Uncleanly cut grass can result in the spread of grass diseases and fungal growth.
  • fuel consumption: Dull and damaged blades are less efficient. This means that mowing with faulty blades will consume more engine power, increasing the cost of mowing.

Final Remarks:

After sharpening your Husqvarna riding mower blades several times, they need to be replaced. Also, hitting a rock or other debris can damage your blades such that replacement is needed. Dull blades can cause all sorts of unwanted problems to your lawnmower and lawn. Replacement is not difficult, but ensure that you replace your old blade with the right blade, and take care of your safety during the replacement procedure.

How To Change Blades On Riding Mower Without Removing Deck?

When the blades of your riding mower wear out, you won’t be able to cut your grass efficiently. But if you’re new to owning a riding mower, you may have a hard time figuring out how to change the blades. how to change blades on riding mower without removing deck so that you’ll have an easier time.

In this guide, we’re going to show you how it’s done.

Is It Possible To Change Riding Mower Blades Without Removing Deck?

First of all, you may be asking yourself if it’s possible to change the riding blades without removing the deck. Most people know how to lift riding mower to change blades because that’s the primary way to change blades. But is it the easiest? By all means no. And fortunately, it is possible to change mower blades without taking out the dock.

You see, the blades are found at the bottom part of the mower. So, if you have a jack or a tool that can lift the riding mower just enough to expose the blade. Once the blade is exposed, all you need to do is follow the steps we provided below. So far, that’s the easiest way to change mower blades.

How To Change Blades On Riding Mower Without Removing Deck (Step-By-Step)

Now that we’ve established how easy it is to change the blades of a riding mower without taking out the deck, let’s move on to the actual steps on how to do it.

Check The Condition Of The Blades

The first thing you’ll want to do is check the condition of the blades. You’ll need to know if you actually need to change it or not. If it’s just dull, you can actually save yourself a bundle and just use a grinder to sharpen it. But if it’s really worn out, then you’ll need to change it.

Park Your Mower

Once you’ve determined the need to change the blade, the next thing you need to do is park your mower on a flat surface. Make sure you switch it off, take out the key, and put the brake so it won’t move while you take out the blade.

If it’s still on, there’s a possibility that the blades will move while you’re changing them. This is extremely dangerous and will result in a really bad injury.

Take Out The Spark Plug

Another safety precaution you need to observe is taking out the spark plug. To do this, simply open the hood and take out the black wire between the spark plug and engine.

Lift The Mower With A Jack

The next thing you’ll want to do is bring out the jack that can lift it. Do take note that not all jacks are strong enough to take the weight of a mower rider. You need to get a strong jack to do this. If you don’t have a jack, you can prop up the deck with a cinder block or a bunch of bricks.

Take Out The Mounting Nut

By jacking up your machine, the blade will be exposed. In order to take out the blade, turn the mounting nut (in the middle of the blade) counterclockwise. By doing this, you’re loosening the blade. Just take it out once it’s fully loose.

Put The New Blade On

Once the old blade is out, you can easily put the new blade on by sliding it on the shaft. From there, turn the mounting nut in the opposite direction. Make sure the blade is placed tightly.

Conclusion

See how easy it is to learn how to change blades on riding mower without removing deck? We were able to do it in just 6 really simple steps.

Of course, you’ll need a jack to make things easier for you. But for those without a jack, just get some brick or concrete blocks to prop your machine up. If you have those at your disposal, then you’ll easily be able to change the blade without much trouble.

So, if you want to change your mower blades without taking out the deck, refer back to this guide.

We hope you’ll have a much easier time because of our guide.

Recommended Reading:

How To Change Blades On Riding Mower Without Removing Deck

Changing the blades on your lawnmower typically requires that you remove the deck, but that’s not always necessary. You can remove the blades without removing the deck if you lift the mower and remove the mounting nut. Follow along as we explore the 7 steps it takes to change blades without removing the mower deck.

Your riding mower needs to have its blades maintained to keep them working well. When your riding lawn mower’s blade wear out, you can easily change them by lifting the lawn mower up, removing the mounting nut and installing new blades.

As the blades start to wear out, your mower will become less effective at cutting grass. If you’ve never changed the blades on a riding mower, it may sound like a daunting task. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to do without removing the deck. This piece will guide you through the process.

What’s Involved with Changing the Blades on a Riding Lawn Mower

If you have never owned a riding lawn mower or changed its blades, this is a question that might come up. Some lift the riding mower in order to change the blades. This is a common method for many riding mower types. Unfortunately, it is not the easiest way to change the blades. This article will demonstrate an easier method to use when the blades need to be changed.

The mower’s blades are on the bottom of the riding lawn mower. To access them, you’ll need to have a jack or similar means to lift the mower up and expose the blades. The lawn motor will need to be held up safely. However, you decide to lift of the lawn motor, take every safety precaution to prevent anyone from being injured.

Once the riding motor is safely lifted, proceed through the following steps to easily change the blades. You’ll find that this is the easiest method for changing the blades without ever having to remove the deck.

The Process of Changing the Blades on a Riding Mower Without Removing the Deck

Examine The Condition of the Mower’s Blades

The first step is to examine the condition of the blades. This is an important step because if they are in good condition, you won’t have to change them. This saves you money. If there is a slight dullness, you can use a grinder to sharpen them. When the blades become damaged or are very dull, the blades need to be changed. Without it, they won’t cut grass efficiently.

Park the Riding Mower

If the blades do need to be replaced, you’ll need to park the mower on a flat surface where you can work. Make sure the mower is switched off and remove the key. Also, put on the brake to prevent the mower from moving while you are working on it. These extra steps will prevent the blades from moving while you are working on them.

Attempting to change the blades when the mower is in the on position is extremely dangerous.

Remove the Spark Plug

Removing the spark plug is an additional safety precaution. Simply open the mower’s hood and disconnect the black wire that connects the spark plug to the engine.

Lift the Mower with the Jack

The next step is to lift one side of the riding lawn mower with a jack. Be sure to use a jack that it strong enough to bear the weight of the mower. If you don’t have a jack or believe that your may not be strong enough, you can always use cinder blocks or bricks to lift the riding mower.

Remove the Mounting Nut

Lifting the riding lawn mower up will expose the blade. To take the blade off, you’ll need to remove the mounting nut that is located in the center of the blade. As you turn the mounting nut, the blade will loosen up. When it is removed, you can simply take the old blade off.

Put the New Blade On

After you take the old blade off, simply slide the new blade on to the shaft. Replace the mounting nut and ensure that it is tight. The new blade should be snugly held in place.

Lower the Riding Lawn Mower

The final step is to safely lower the riding lawn mower with the jack. Changing the blades on a riding lawn mower without removing the deck is not a difficult chore. With just a few steps, you’ll have a new blade in place. This keeps your riding mower performing efficiently. A dull blade won’t cut grass very well so take the time to replace it when it needs it.

Having access to a jack will make the process of changing a riding lawn mowers blade much easier. You can still change the block though if you don’t have a jack. Using bricks or concrete blocks may be more of a hassle but it still works. You shouldn’t have too much trouble changing the blades.

Safety Considerations

The most important part to pay attention to while changing a riding lawn mower’s blade is safety measures. A riding lawn mower can be a dangerous piece of equipment when the blade is exposed.

Taking the extra steps to ensure that the motor is in fact off can prevent accidents from happening. Also, stabilizing the blade will prevent nicks and cuts.

Regularly Maintaining Your Riding Mower

Your riding motor needs regular maintenance to keep it functioning efficiently. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of examining the condition of your riding mower every time that you use it. This will keep it in top condition. When you are regularly checking the mower, you’ll be able to spot any signs of potential problems. You’ll also find signs of wear and damage before they become significant issues.

Changing the blades on your riding lawn mower may seem that a challenging task. It’s easy to see, though, that its not that difficult to do. Regularly check the condition of the blades will let you know when they need to be changed. Also, regularly examinations will let you know if they simply need to be sharpened with a grinder. Avoiding replacement of the blade with save you money.

Keep Your Riding Lawn Mower in Great Shape

Your riding lawn mower is an effective tool to keep your lawn looking great. When the blades are sharp, they make easy work of cutting the grass. That’s why it’s so important to keep it well maintained. You’ll use your riding lawn mower frequently, particularly during the spring and summer months.

Easy Way to Sharpen Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mower Blades Without Lift ||YTH18542|

Invest in Your Riding Lawn Mower

When you invest a little time into the care of your riding lawn mower, it will work well for many years to come. Changing the blades yourself will ultimately save you money. Plus, its an easy maintenance task to take care of.

When your riding lawn mower needs new blades, don’t feel intimidated! You’ve now go the tools to tackle the project yourself.

Related Questions

How often do riding lawn mower blades need to be changed?

Most people find that they need to replace their riding lawn mower’s blades once year.

What are the signs that the riding lawn mowers blades need to be sharpened or replaced?

There are several signs that the blades have become worn or damaged. When you start noticing that in some areas, the grass is cut unevenly or the grass is torn, this indicates that your riding mower needs maintenance.

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How To Remove Your Lawn Mower Blade? (2023 Guide)

Sometimes your lawn mower blade just needs to be replaced. Sharpening can keep you going for a little while, but the metal itself will eventually wear out and get too thin from repeated sharpening.

When it’s time to replace your blade, you need to know how to remove your current lawn mower blade first.

lawn, mower, blade, change

The process is relatively simple and can be done at home with a minimum of tools. Some professionals might offer a blade change service for a fee, but this is so easy I don’t think it’s worth paying for unless you have a large riding lawn mower.

I’ll cover riding lawn mowers too, just in case you have the equipment needed to make that change.

In this guide you’ll learn:

Sharpening mower blades on a Husqvarna YTH lawn mower without taking the deck off

  • How to tell when your lawn mower’s blade needs to be replaced
  • How to replace 3 kinds of lawn mower blades
  • And much more!

What Are the Reasons You Need To Remove Your Lawn Mower Blade?

Lawn mower blades tend to be pretty durable and long lasting tools, especially when you know how to sharpen them. But, they do eventually wear out and need replacement. A poorly mowed lawn is only the least of your problems when you have a lawn mower blade that needs to be replaced.

That doesn’t mean that a bad mowing job isn’t a big problem, though. Uneven, ragged, mowing can seriously stress your lawn and made it difficult to keep your grass healthy.

Removing your lawn mower blade is the first step to replace it, so it’s an important skill to have.

Of course, replacing your lawn mower’s blade isn’t the only time you might need to remove the blade. For instance, if you have blades for different uses, you might need to switch between them in the middle of the season. Or, your blade might need some maintenance like a sharpening session or a thorough cleaning.

Some people will remove lawn mower blades to help winterize their mowers. I don’t think that’s particularly necessary unless you live somewhere with high humidity and rust risk in the winter. But, it can sometimes make storage easier or give you an opportunity to do some maintenance on the blade during the off season.

How To Tell When It’s Time To Replace Your Lawn Mower Blade?

Knowing that you might need to replace your lawn mower’s blade won’t do you any good if you can’t tell when it’s time for a replacement. Here are a few signs to look for that it’s time to replace your blade:

Your Lawn Mower Blade has Bent or Twisted

Despite being relatively simple tools, lawn mower blades are still optimized to provide good cutting power. Any sign that your blade has started bending or twisting means, at a minimum, that your blade isn’t performing the way it should any longer.

At worst, your blade could be starting to damage your lawn mower itself, or may start damaging your lawn mower soon.

As soon as you notice signs of bending or twisting in your lawn mower’s blade, it’s time for a new one.

Nicks and Gouges Make It Difficult to Sharpen

Re-sharpening your lawn mower’s blade can extend the life quite a bit, but sometimes the surface scratches on your blade are too deep to work around. Scratches are a normal part of any used lawn mower blade. Grass, gravel, rocks, and even small clumps of dirt can all cause scratches over time.

Usually small surface scratches are no problem. You can buff them out while sharpening, and many scratches won’t be anywhere that affects the function of the blade.

However, if you’re starting to get deeper scratches and gouges, more than about 2-3mm deep, it may be time to consider replacement. That’s because deeper scratches and gouges can cause weak points in the blade. The last thing you want is your lawn mower blade cracking while you’re using it.

In a worse case scenario a deep gash could crack and eventually break free entirely. If you’re lucky, a broken blade will damage your lawn mower. If you’re not lucky the blade could fly free of the mower and cause damage to you, or the people, plants, and buildings around you.

It Isn’t Holding An Edge

This is less common, but some blades will lose their ability to hold an edge over time. Usually this happens with blades where only the original cutting edge was fully hardened, and problems with hardening can happen with any manufacturer and model.

Over time these blades just won’t take or hold an effective cutting edge, losing their ability to cut grass at the same time. If you’re having to sharpen your lawn mower’s blade more and more often it’s probably time to remove the blade and replace it.

It’s Not Performing Well

The last reason is both the most common, and the simplest. You might need to remove and replace your blade simply because it doesn’t seem to be working as well anymore. Sharpening may be an option at this phase, but it depends on the blade and owner. Lawn mower blades are usually pretty affordable, so I know plenty of people who don’t bother sharpening their blades when they’ve started to go dull.

If you’re getting uneven clumps of grass after mowing, chances are you either need to sharpen your blade, or replace it.

How To Remove Your Push Lawn Mower Blade

To start with, let’s talk about one of the most common kinds of lawn mower—the motorized push behind lawn mower. Chances are, if you have a suburban-sized lawn, this is the kind of lawn mower you use.

Step 1: Get Your Lawn Mower Ready

The first step to remove your lawn mower’s blade is to get it ready to be tilted or flipped over. For gas-powered lawn mowers that means you should drain the gas tank (if possible) and remove the spark plug.

Remove the battery from battery powered lawn mowers.

Unplug electric corded lawn mowers.

This prep helps prevent accidents and can also help your lawn mower last longer in the case of gas-powered mowers.

Once the power source is safe, either tilt your lawn mower up so you can access the blade, or consider flipping it entirely on it’s back. I like to place a tarp under the lawn mower to help prevent scratches on the outer casing.

Step 2: Remove Fasteners

Your lawn mower’s blade should be held on by 1 to 3 bolts in the center of the blade. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to loosen these bolts with your hands, so you’ll need a wrench, or in some cases a screwdriver, to get them free.

Try to only use tools the right size and shape from the bolt to prevent stripping them or changing the shape. Most lawn mower blade fasteners can be replaced, but some are a non-standard size or length and can be hard to find.

Once the fasters are loose, put them in a small bag or a to keep them safe.

Step 3: Lift the Blade Off

With the fasteners gone your blade should lift free of the lawn mower. I recommend having a can of WD-40, or a rag and some water, in case the blade is stuck in place. Gently work the blade free until it’s completely loose.

Remember, don’t use too much force at this phase or you’ll risk breaking either the blade or it’s attachment points.

How To Remove Your Riding Lawn Mower Blade

Step 1: Park Your Riding Lawn Mower

First you’ll need to drive your riding lawn mower into a garage, barn, or other sheltered area and park it. You don’t want anything to move while you’re working, so go ahead and use the brake systems and other lock settings to keep the lawn mower as immobile as possible.

Step 2: Lift The Lawn Mower So You Have Work Space

The next step is getting the lawn mower lifted enough that you can get your tools underneath and have room to work. Some people drive up a ramp onto a special maintenance frame to get access, while others lift the lawn mower onto wooden blocks.

I personally recommend using a riding lawn mower and tractor lift since it’s the safest and most secure option. However, those lifts can be relatively expensive equipment so not everyone uses them.

Whatever method you choose, check to make sure the lawn mower is secure and unlikely to fall. Think about this the same way you would think about lifting a car and working under it, the risks are very similar.

Step 3: Match The Bolt To The Appropriate Wrench

The larger, tighter bolts of a riding lawn mower’s blade generally need a wrench to remove. I recommend checking to make sure you have the right size, or setting the width of an adjustable wrench, before you start to get to work.

The wrench is a good fit if it’s wide enough to reach all the way around the bolt without any wiggle room. The more space between the sides of the bolt and the wrench, the more likely you’ll accidentally curve the corners of the bolt when you remove it.

Step 4: Remove the Fastener

Most riding lawn mower blades only have a single attachment bolt, but some do have more than one. Use the wrench to remove each bolt, until the blade is free.

I don’t recommend using a breaking bar unless absolutely necessary in this process. A small amount of WD-40 should be enough to loosen particularly stubborn bolts. Alternatively you can use a rubber mallet on the end of the wrench to provide some more force without risking damaging the bolts.

Step 2: Remove the Blade

Slowly and gently remove the blade if it didn’t come free on it’s own after you’ve removed the fasteners. Once the blade is free I recommend taking a moment to clean the area and remove any rust or corrosion that could make reattaching or removing the blade more difficult in the future.

How To Remove Your Reel Lawn Mower Blade

Reel lawn mowers are a little different, if you need to replace or repair the blades you’re not going to remove them from the lawn mower. Instead, your best option is to remove the other components of your reel mower and then replace them after sharpening or repairing the blade.

In some cases, you might replace the whole reel blade and then reattach the other components to the new blade.

Step 1: Remove the Drive Wheels

First, lay your reel mower on a flat space where it’s relatively stable. Your drive wheels are on either side of the blade, usually covered by a plastic hub cap. You can use a screwdriver to remove the hub caps without damaging them. Set the hub caps aside.

There is a clip holding both wheels to the axel. Use the same screwdriver to pull the clip loose. Set aside.

Next is a pinion gear. This can be removed by turning it counterclockwise until it comes free. You should be able to turn the gear with your hands.

There’s one more clip you’ll need to remove, also on the axel. Pull this away from the assembly plate. While you can dissasemble the assembly plate as well, it isn’t necessary and can cause irreparable damage to your lawn mower, so I don’t recommend it. Instead you’ll work around it to get this pin free.

Once the last pin is out you should be able to remove the blade from that side. Repeat on the other drive wheel.

Step 2: Remove the Rear Wheels

Most lawn reel mowers have a set of rear wheels for added stability. Some will also have a set of front wheels, but the removal process is the same for both.

All you need to do here is unbolt the wheels from the main assembly with a wrench. Try to make sure the wrench fits securely before you start to help avoid damaging the bolts.

Step 3: Remove the Mower Handle

Most reel mower handles are held on with a small pin near the bottom of the handle. Use a screwdriver to help remove the pin, and push the lawn mower handle toward the bottom to help remove some pressure from the pin.

Once the pin is free, the handle should be easy to remove. If it sticks, clean off the bottom of the handle and grease it with some mineral oil or WD-40 to help prevent further corrosion and make future maintenance easier.

Once the handle is removed you should be left with the blade and the assembly plate. Removing the blade is simple at this point, or you can sharpen the blade still attached to the assembly plate.

My Final Thoughts On Removing Your Lawn Mower Blade

Removing your lawn mower blade might not be fun or exciting, but it is an important skill to have. This guide should cover just about any standard lawn mower in the United States, but it’s also a good idea to check your users manual if you have it.

Remember that not all maintenance means you have to remove the blade. You can even sharpen some blades without taking them off of the lawn mower. I’ve written a guide to sharpening blades without removing them, but it does work best for blades with a simpler design.

As always, if you’re concerned that you can’t safely perform maintenance on your lawn mower yourself you should take it to a professional instead. No amount of savings is worth taking unnecessary risks to maintain your lawn mower.

With that in mind, happy mowing, and may your lawn mower never need more than basic maintenance!